Nitroethane

Synonyms

Nitroetan; [NIOSH] NE; [CHEMINFO] UN2842

Category

Nitros, Aliphatic

Description

Colorless, oily liquid with a mild, fruity odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as a propellant, a solvent for resins and waxes, and an intermediate for organic chemicals; [ACGIH]

Comments

Experimental animals tolerate hours or days of exposures at 500 ppm, but many die at concentrations of 1000 ppm. Pathological examination shows liver damage after lethal exposures. "Methemoglobinemia was no greater in animals that inhaled nitroethane than in those exposed only to room air." [ACGIH] "Tear drawing." An eye and respiratory tract irritant; Inhalation of high concentrations can cause CNS depression; [ICSC]

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

100 ppm

100 ppm

10 ppm

1000 ppm

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Other animal data: Guinea pigs survived both a 2­hour and a 3­hour exposure to 5,000 ppm [Machle et al. 1940]. Rats exposed to 2,200 ppm for 6 hours had no noticeable difficulty [IMCC 1979]. \ Human data: None relevant for use in determining the revised IDLH;

20.8 mm Hg

2.1 ppm

Odor Threshold High

200 ppm

LCLo (rat) = 13,000 ppm/6H

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold from CHEMINFO; Flash point = 28 deg C; VP from HSDB;

may ignite at ambient temp

Yes

Other CNS neurotoxin

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Plastic Composites Manufacturing